David Benavidez, Ronald Gavril predict KOs in rematch

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David Benavidez, who won a split decision over Ronald Gavril in September to become the youngest super middleweight champion in history at 20 years and nearly nine months old, takes on Gavril again Feb. 17 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. (Gregory Payan/The Associated Press)

When David Benavidez won a split decision over Ronald Gavril to win a vacant super middleweight world title Sept. 8 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, he became the youngest 168-pound champion in history at 20 years and nearly nine months old.

It wasn’t easy, though, and the scores were weird. Adalaide Byrd (116-111) and Dave Moretti (117-111) gave it to Benavidez. Glenn Trowbridge had Gavril winning 116-111.

One thing’s certain, Gavril decked Benavidez in the 12th and final round.

The good news is these two will tangle in a rematch Feb. 17 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas (on Showtime). They will square off underneath the welterweight main event between former champions Danny Garcia and Brandon Rios.

As one can imagine, Gavril is aching for this second scrap.

“I’ve been working and training really hard for this fight,” the Romanian said. “I still believe I did everything to win that last one, but I am ready to prove everyone wrong.

“Last fight, I was able to figure him out toward the middle rounds. This fight, I will be quicker to download his plan and attack.”

Benavidez is making two predictions.

“I think we’re definitely going to steal the show Feb. 17,” Benavidez said. “It was a great fight last time and I have no doubt it’s going to be exciting again, as long as it lasts. There’s only one way this fight ends and that’s with me knocking him out.”

Fighting out of Phoenix, Benavidez is 19-0 with 17 knockouts, Gavril is 18-2 with 14 knockouts. Obviously, both have plenty of power. That means preparation could go a long way in determining the outcome of a fight between these closely matched fighters.

“We’ve been working really hard in training camp,” Benavidez said. “We’ve made some adjustments off the last fight and I think I’m going to give an even better performance.”

Gavril claims this camp has made him better than ever.

“I feel quicker, stronger and more mentally prepared,” said Gavril, 31. “I know he is going to try and switch up his game plan for this fight, but my team has been preparing me for anything that he may try and bring on fight night.”

Speaking of predictions, Gavril has one of his own.

“I will be the next WBC super middleweight champion,” he said. “Last fight was a battle, but this fight will end in a knockout.”

Not sure if this will “steal the show,” but we love the anticipation a rematch of a title fight brings, especially when a victory seems up for grabs.

Brian Viloria still here

Typically, small fighters aren’t still active at age 37. But Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria is, and Feb. 24 he will take on Artem Dalakian (15-0, 11 KOs) of Ukraine for a vacant flyweight title at the Fabulous Forum.

The fight will take place on the undercard of the Srisaket Sor Rungvisai-Juan Francisco Estrada super flyweight championship bout, which will be one of three bouts televised by HBO.

Viloria vs. Dalakian will not make the television feed, and that’s probably just fine with Viloria. He’s already won titles at light flyweight and flyweight, and has had plenty of exposure. He just wants to fight.

“I have been doing this for a long time and I still love boxing,” said Viloria, of Waipahu, Hawaii. “For me, boxing is a lifestyle. I don’t consider it work at all, so as long as I feel good and I get opportunities, I will continue to work hard to be ready.”

Viloria offered his thoughts on the main event during a workout Thursday morning at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card gym in Hollywood. Viloria (38-5, 23 KOs) lost his flyweight title to Mexico’s Estrada (36-2, 25 KOs) via split-decision in 2013.

“It’s a great main event and a tough fight for Sor Rungvisai and Estrada,” Viloria said. “I fought Estrada and I know how good he is. Estrada is a good boxer, very intelligent and has good power.”

Sor Rungvisai (44-4-1, 40 KOs), of Thailand, is coming off back-to-back victories over previously undefeated Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. Sor Rungvisai won a majority decision over Gonzalez in March at Madison Square Garden, then knocked out Gonzalez in the fourth round in September at StubHub Center.

Etc.

Joseph Diaz Jr. (25-0, 13 KOs) of South El Monte will take on Victor Terrazas (38-4-2, 21 KOs) of Mexico in the featherweight main event Feb. 22 at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio (on ESPN2). Diaz, a 2012 U.S. Olympian, is ranked No. 1 in the world by two governing bodies. … Thompson Boxing Promotions will host a Feb. 16 card that will pit Erick Ituarte (19-1-1, 3 KOs) of Santa Ana against Jose Ramirez (28-7, 16 KOs) of Mexico in the featherweight main event from the DoubleTree Hotel in Ontario. Tickets are priced at $40, $60 and $100. For information, call 714-935-0900. … Roy Jones Jr. (66-0, 47 KOs) on Thursday won what he says was the final fight of his Hall of Fame career via decision over Scott Sigmon (30-11-1). Jones is 49.

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